Williamette Closed to Retention

[cohoho]

Well, I was too late heading there this season.  Willamette is closed to Keepers for retention.  It is OK as I like C and R as well.  My problem is limiting the recreational fisherman that provides numerous amounts of money, but allow the nets and natives to go at will.  If your going to stop it for one, do it across the board..  It makes you believe they want all fishing and all fish gone from the river system...  Wonder when Columbia will follow suit.    I know above the dam is closed to retention till after 1 Jan, so we'll see what happens between now and then for the rest of the river system...  

Willamette River Fishery Notice
Oregon State Action
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife November 8, 2010
In state action Oregon approved the following Willamette River fishery rule change:

Effective November 9, 2010, recreational harvest of white sturgeon in the Willamette River, downstream from the Willamette Falls, including Multnomah Channel and the Gilbert River is prohibited.

Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during retention closures.

Note: Additional information is also available through the Internet at:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2010/index.asp

[ICEMAN]

Mike, I cannot stand this approach! With all species, why can't legislators close down all commercial harvest prior to ever messing with the smallguy who ends up pumping more cash into the local economies.... 

If the system cannot support private consumption, why would they ever allow commercialization of a species?

[fishcrazy]

you really want to know why? follow the money.

Commercials and the fish companies are deeper into the pocket of the ones who make the rules than a few sport anglers. It's not about right but about who has the suit case with the most cash.

when you allow corporations to run the country this is what you get. Better get use to it.

Kris

[cohoho]

One argument I go with ya.  There is no way big business and commercial guys can compete monetarily with the day to day fisherman in regards to money pumped into the economy.  But where they do excel past the fishermen is pocket book money to those making the rules.  Count the number of Guides and their fees, personal boats, gas to get there, lures, bait, rods, reels, snack food and of course beer on the Columbia on any open day for springers...  Times that by the number of days folks fish, you got a sum that no doubt equates to way more than the commercial guys could even think of.  And that isn't counting the off shore group.  Jeez most times it is like 500 bucks to run out round trip for tuna in a private boat.... Add the fall run, year round Steelhead guys and of course the Sturgeon guys............  Heck in AK, take AK airlines for example, during the off fishing season there are like 6 flights per day, start May through Sep it jumps to like 18 flights per day.  Mind you some are tourist sight seeing but a majority of those folks heading to AK are fisherman.  I was told by a friend that does market research that Lays potato chips sales increases to the number per month what the Super Bowl sells, huge numbers and who is buying that, of course fishermen.  How many rods and reels do you own, a dozen, two dozen???  Lures, every that you put forth towards fishing adds up.  Would be super cool if somehow you could get all fishermen to stop fishing for two weeks and see what the voices of the business owners would have to state to the Fish and Game.......  We just need to lump our money together and bribe them right back away from the commercial guys...

[fishcrazy]

cohoho,

I agree 100% about the money we pump into the economy. but the only money the politicians see is what the commercials put in their pockets. They kick our asses on that. and as long as they can keep the sport comunity divided it will stay that way. When the public votes the last thing they are doing is looking at the voting record of how a canidate has voted on these issues in the past.


And the tribes are 1 notch above the commies.

Kris

[cohoho]

Agree with that for sure..  We as fishermen do it to ourselves, too many voices and no enough cash going into the pockets of those making the decisions...  Heck just take this site alone, people ripping each other for what they believe is hunting or fishing and how thier method is above the other guys.....  The commercial guy sit back and enjoy every minute, cause we don't have single stance, all different...

[BigGoonTuna]

every time the commercials get put in the crosshairs they come up with the sob story that they're just trying to make an honest living and why is everyone picking on them.  never mind that none of them do it full time, it's more like a destructive hobby.  the gillnet fleets on the columbia, willapa bay and grays harbor are relics of another time and really don't serve any purpose, and should get phased out.

[ICEMAN]

every time the commercials get put in the crosshairs they come up with the sob story that they're just trying to make an honest living and why is everyone picking on them.  never mind that none of them do it full time, it's more like a destructive hobby.  the gillnet fleets on the columbia, willapa bay and grays harbor are relics of another time and really don't serve any purpose, and should get phased out.

Agree.